BALLOON VENDORS

Two traveling balloon vendors entered a small village and set up stands at opposite ends of the town square. One vendor sold only round, red balloons. He held them high in his hand so they sparkled in the sun. The other vendor sold only oblong, blue balloons, which he held equally high, waving them briskly.

As the town children and their parents approached the square, the two vendors edged closer to each other.

Everyone enjoyed vendors, anticipating good humor and camaraderie on this pleasant weekend afternoon. For a while, neither vendor spoke. One played the accordion, and the other the flute. The tunes were lively, a melodic feast for the townspeople. When the music stopped, the people of the town wondered who would speak first.  Alternating presentations was a well-established custom in this part of the country.  What would these two gaily dressed vendors say about the advantages of their particular style of balloon?  Oh, the people had guesses, but these vendors were experts in their wares.

To the astonishment of all, when the music stopped, both vendors began to speak at the same time.

“That fool over there got dirty shoes. Can’t trust people with—“

“Well, your shoes been made in some foreign country.  Probably,  you’re—“

“Untrustworthy people can’t be trusted. Any fool knows—“

“Tell you who can’t be trusted—foreigners. Why, just the other—“

The two vendors moved next to each other and continued to rail with a barrage of invectives. They started to swing their balloons at each other, creating a melee of words and motion.

Suddenly, both vendors lost grip of their balloons. Round, red balloons and oblong, blue balloons climbed high in the sky and disappeared from sight.

Everyone left the square. It was obvious these vendors had nothing to offer.

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